Pawlenty, who was on the short list for of Romney’s potential running mates, told reporters in Manchester that he did not initially begin supporting Romney with the expectation that he would be the chosen one.

“It's an honor to have been considered but I didn't start this volunteer effort on behalf of Gov. Romney with the expectation that I was going to be Vice President,” Pawlenty said. “I didn't expect it, not disappointed, and glad that he picked Congressman Ryan and it's a great pick and I'm happy to support the ticket.”

Ryan is the architect of a conservative and intensely controversial long-term budget plan to remake Medicare and cut trillions in federal spending.

With several events planned in the Granite State, Pawlenty spent the day talking with volunteers and supporters before going door-to-door to get support for the newly announced Romney-Ryan ticket.

Manchester resident Bill Skouteris said whoever was chosen was not going to impact his support for Romney.

“It's nice to get a young guy. I think it's great,” Skouteris said.

Pawlenty said Ryan is a good choice, whose experience will assure a remedy to the troubled economy because of his fiscally conservative views.

“Paul Ryan is somebody who has got bold ideas about getting government ideas reduced, slowed down in a more responsible way because it's out of control and he also wants to get the private economy going,” Pawlenty said.

Democratic analyst Michael Goldman said Ryan is the most controversial of all the running mates Romney was considering. He feels Ryan will solidify what Romney already has, the support of fiscal conservatives.

“I think that there are very few democrats in the country who are unhappy about this choice,” Goldman said. “Does it give him the jump that a Condoleeza Rice might have? No, it doesn't.”

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